Ben Speirs and Anthony Moffatt gathered a few friends after learning that heavy metal legend Dimebag had passed away. 

“It was so good that we decided we had to make it a yearly tradition,” Mr Moffatt said. 

“Then the next year it was a few more mates and a few kegs and then after a couple of years it got too big so we decided we had to do it properly in 2008. 

“That’s how Dimeday started.”

Mr Speirs said Dimebag’s music, both as a solo artist and as co-founder of Pantera and Damageplan, was incredibly unique. 

“He had a personality that was hard not to like,” he said. 

Mr Moffatt said as a musician he wanted to play the music.

“Dimebag’s music grabbed me and nobody was doing what he was doing at the time,” he said. 

The event has grown from a few mates having a beer to more than 200 people filling out the Home Taven to commemorate Dimebag with a lineup of heavy metal bands. 

“It’s brought some really greats acts to Wagga and we’ve had people from over Australia come to town,” Mr Moffatt said. 

“We don’t have to go looking for the bands, they contact us.

“I have met other members of Dimebag’s bands and they have seen people over Australia wearing Dimeday shirts which is awesome.”

People are often surprised by the acts that come along, both Mr Moffatt and Mr Speirs said. 

“Some of these bands have toured Japan and they’re coming to Wagga,” Mr Speirs said. 

“Some have gone on from Dimeday to touring with the likes of Iron Maiden.” 

The duo said they hadn’t thought about next year and where to host the event after The Home shuts down. 

“We don’t want to finish what we started that is for sure,” Mr Moffatt said. 

“This is our 11th show and the last year here because The Home has been the home for heavy metal in Wagga.” 

Dimeday is on this Saturday. Doors open at 3pm with $20 tickets at the door. Each band is set to play at least one cover song in tribute to Dimebag. 

The lineup includes Cowboys From Here - Pantera Tribute Band, In Malice's Wake, Envenomed, CARBON BLACK, Demonhead, Burning Beard and Nothin' to Lose. 

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